This paper traces the development and evaluation of day care hospice provision through analysis of the available literature. The CD-ROM was utilized to access and review the Medline, CINAHL and Healthstar databases. In addition, a hand search of Progress in Palliative Care was conducted. The literature describes the provision of a service within a day hospice, and access to day hospice services. Issues regarding the provision of a day hospice as a mechanism to meet consumer needs are explored. The literature reveals little evaluation of evidence-based practice or of the cost-effectiveness of day hospice provision. There is a dearth of research relating to day care, evaluation studies in particular. It is clearly important that future research compares outcomes with other models of service provision.